Proposal would eliminate class rank at MCHS

MINOOKA – A proposal to eliminate reporting class ranks to colleges for admissions has upset some parents and students in the Minooka Community High School District.

The MCHS board of education was set to hear a proposal from district instructional leaders on the subject Thursday, which attracted parents and students who spoke out against it during the public comments art of the meeting.

The proposal was available on the district’s website, but not until the day before the board of education meeting, parent Wendy Arlis said. The school sent out an email blast later that day that it would be on the agenda.

Parent Craig Doster said class ranking is a huge cultural tradition at Minooka High School. Parent James Pichman called the proposal silly and accused the board of rushing it through. Parent Melissa Knaub called it a travesty for students.

Minooka High School junior and honor student Olivia Salazar, ranked first in her class, said the school’s test scores and AP program will likely suffer without the class rankings because students won’t feel challenged.

The board decided to look into the issue because parents were concerned about too much stress put on students, said instructional leader Cheryl Pillsbury. Students may take more honor and AP classes to increase their rank and skipping courses more in line with their future career goals, district officials said.

Feedback from multiple colleges and universities found that many don’t consider class rank for admission or scholarships.

If class rank was eliminated, valedictorian and salutatorian achievements would also be eliminated starting with the Class of 2015.

“We have all worked this hard, it can’t be for nothing,” said Salazar, who is currently in the running for valedictorian of the 2015 graduating class.

The board was scheduled to vote on the proposal Nov. 19, but after Thursday’s meeting it has been removed from the agenda. The district indicated it would hold a town hall meetings, dates to be announced, to further discuss the issue.

Board President Mike Brozovich said he, too, has a lot of questions about the proposal before it goes to the board for a vote.

“We want to make sure the right thing is done for the school district, the students and the community,” he said.

OUTBOXSpeak OutThose who wish to voice an opinion for the Minooka Community High School Board to consider prior to the meetings cam email MCHS Principal Darcie Kubinski at dkubinski@mchs.net.